Non-surgical spinal decompression in Washington, PA
Spinal decompression at Getzik Family Chiropractic, a chiropractic and non-surgical spine clinic in Washington, Pennsylvania, is a computer-controlled traction treatment for herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica and chronic nerve pain. Sessions take 15 to 20 minutes, a typical course runs 6 to 12 sessions, and the care is non-surgical and drug-free. The new patient decompression evaluation is $99, against a regular price of $397. Call us at (724) 222-2074.
Key facts
- Treats herniated and bulging discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis and chronic nerve pain.
- Each session runs 15 to 20 minutes.
- A typical course is 6 to 12 sessions, with more for severe cases.
- New patient decompression evaluation is $99, regular price $397.
- The care is non-surgical and drug-free.
- Call us at (724) 222-2074 to check availability.
What is spinal decompression and how does it work
A spinal decompression table is a motorized traction device. You lie on the table and are fitted with harnesses around your pelvis and trunk. The table then gently and precisely separates the vertebrae at the problem level of the spine. That separation lowers the pressure inside the disc. With the pressure reduced, fluid and nutrients move back into the disc and material that has pressed outward can move back in. The pull runs in cycles, with rest periods, so the back muscles do not tighten against it.
Spinal compression, the problem
Day to day, gravity, sitting and lifting press the vertebrae together. Over years that pressure squeezes fluid out of the discs and can push disc material outward onto a nerve. That outward push is what causes the sharp leg or arm pain of a herniated disc or sciatica.
What decompression does about it
By gently separating the vertebrae, decompression creates negative pressure inside the disc. That negative pressure can pull disc material back toward the center and let fluid and nutrients in. The goal is to take the pressure off the nerve and let the disc heal, without surgery.
Which conditions spinal decompression can help
Decompression is built for disc and nerve problems. The examination determines whether your case fits. The conditions we most often see it used for are listed below, each linking to its own page.
- Herniated disc. The soft center of a disc has pushed through a crack in the outer ring and presses on a nerve.
- Bulging disc. A disc has widened beyond its normal space and can irritate nearby nerves.
- Degenerative disc disease. Discs lose height and cushion over time, which can cause pain and instability.
- Sciatica. Pain, numbness or tingling that runs down a leg from pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Spinal stenosis. The space around the spinal nerves narrows, causing pain with standing or walking.
- Facet joint syndrome. The small joints at the back of the spine become irritated and painful with movement.
- Failed back surgery syndrome. Pain that continues or returns after spine surgery.
- Chronic neck pain. Neck pain that has lasted months and has not resolved with other care.
- Chronic low back pain. Low back pain that has lasted months and has not resolved with other care.
How spinal decompression compares to your other options
This table lays out the common approaches to disc and nerve pain side by side. We have filled in only what we can state honestly from general medical knowledge.
| Option | What it involves | Typical recovery | Risks | What it costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinal decompression at our clinic | Computer-controlled traction that gently separates the vertebrae to lower pressure in the disc | No downtime, you leave and drive yourself home | Low force and non-surgical, not for every candidate | $99 new patient evaluation, regular price $397 |
| Pain medication | Prescription or over-the-counter drugs that reduce the pain signal | No recovery, taken daily | Does not address the disc, side effects possible, risk of dependence with some drugs | Varies by drug and insurance |
| Cortisone or epidural injection | A steroid injected near the nerve or joint to lower inflammation | Brief rest the day of the injection | Temporary for many, can be repeated a limited number of times, small procedure risk | Varies by insurer and facility |
| Physical therapy | Guided exercise and manual care to build strength and movement | Weeks of visits, no downtime | Low risk, depends on correct diagnosis and consistency | Varies by plan and visit count |
| Spinal surgery | An operation to remove disc material, fuse levels or replace a disc | Weeks to months of recovery, activity limits | Surgical risks, infection, no guarantee of pain relief | Varies widely by procedure and insurer |
What a spinal decompression session actually feels like
You arrive and are fitted to the table with harnesses around your pelvis and trunk. The table starts a gentle pull that comes and goes in cycles. Most patients describe a mild stretching, not pain. Many read or rest through the session. When the session ends the table stops and you sit up. Most people drive themselves home. The whole visit, including setup, takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
How many sessions will I need
A typical course runs 6 to 12 sessions. How long your problem has been there and how severe it is both drive the number. Severe cases can take more. Dr. Getzik gives you a specific number in your report of findings after the examination, not a guess up front. We do not promise a result or a fixed timeline. We track your response at each visit and adjust the plan based on what we find.
Who is not a candidate for spinal decompression
We are straight about this. Decompression is not right for everyone. The general situations that rule it out include pregnancy, a spinal fracture, spinal fusion hardware at the level we would treat, severe osteoporosis, a spinal tumor and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The examination determines whether your case fits. If it does not, we tell you plainly and point you to the right next step.
What spinal decompression costs in Washington, PA
The new patient decompression evaluation is $99, against a regular price of $397. The evaluation includes a new patient consultation, a comprehensive examination, one chiropractic adjustment and one spinal decompression treatment. The cost of an ongoing course depends on the number of sessions your case needs. A cash rate of $65 per session applies, and an 8-session course is $468 while a 12-session course is $663. Insurance may cover part of a course depending on your plan, and CareCredit is available to spread the cost. See our pricing and insurance page for the full breakdown.